This is an in-person workshop. All students and the instructor must show proof of vaccination against Covid-19 and agree to wear a mask for the duration of the class unless otherwise announced by SFCB. If you choose to complete the registration process you are agreeing to these terms.

This unique class is being offered by the San Francisco Center for the Book to students who have achieved a high level of binding and working with leather, and who are interested in spending an extended amount of time with one of the most renowned bookbinders working today, Dominic Riley. He taught this class for the first time in 2016, and it was a great success; nine students produced bindings of stunning imagination and technical achievement, a few of which can be seen at left.

In this comprehensive four-week master class, you will experience all the steps involved in making a fine design binding in a small group setting, guided by an highly skilled teacher. Working with a handsome Private Press text selected by Dominic, you will be led through a very thorough process of creating a design binding, incorporating all the technical steps associated with high quality binding, and focusing on complex design execution, leather decoration, creative gold tooling, and box making. Along the way, Dominic will share many tips and tricks of the trade garnered from thirty years as a fine binder, conservator, artist, teacher and exhibitor. The class will culminate in a reception and display of the works produced. Click here to read the syllabus.

This year Dominic visited the Oxford Fine Press Book fair (which is like a mini-Codex) and found his choice for this year's text. Entitled 2020 Vision, it was printed in 2020 by Pat Randle of the Nomad Press. His father is John Randle, proprietor the of the Whittington Press, one of the most important private UK presses of recent years. You may view the prospectus here.

The book celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Society of Wood Engravers. 20 living wood engravers were asked to create a special engraving for the book, and then asked to nominate a historical wood engraver they would like to celebrate. Those images are also included, printed from the original blocks, with essays from the living artists as well. The resulting book is stupendously beautiful. Pat Randle has put aside sheets for us at a very generous rate, as he, as a fellow artisan, would like to support our project.

Because of the concentrated nature of this unique class, students must apply for a place in advance, stating their experience level and commitment to the project.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Potential students must complete this application form. Applicants will communicate with the instructor via email to review their interest, statement and experience, and he will make the final decision regarding applications and acceptance into the course.

The application form requires a google account. If you do not have one, please contact SFCB at 415.565.0545 or via email at workshops@sfcb.org.

Pre-Requisite: Bookbinding Cores 1-4, Orientation to Leather AND at least 1 Leather Core workshop; or similar bookbinding experience.

Tools to Bring: Instructor will reach out to accepted students with details about which tools will be helpful for students to bring.

Workshop Fee (all materials included): $2900.00
Early Bird Discount for registrations before June 15: $2600.00

Date & Time: Mondays through Fridays, July 18 through August 12, 2022 :: 9:30am-5:30pm

Location: 375 Rhode Island St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Please read over the SFCB Registration Policies before signing up for a class.

About the Instructor | Dominic Riley

Dominic Riley Is an internationally renowned bookbinder, artist, lecturer and teacher. He has his bindery in England, from where he travels across the UK teaching and lecturing. He spends part of the year teaching in San Francisco and across the USA. His work is mostly restoration and Design Binding, for which he has won many prizes in the Designer Bookbinders competition. He was elected Fellow of DB in 2008. His bindings are in collections worldwide, including the British Library, the Grolier Club in New York and the San Francisco Public Library. In 2013 he won first prize, the Sir Paul Getty Award, in the International Bookbinding Competition. Dominic is President of the Society of Bookbinders.

He has taught masterclasses in the USA, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, at the Centro del Bel Libro in Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Canada.

Past Student Reviews:

“Many aspects were helpful. The design binding process was developed fully in great detail. I will immediately proceed to additional design bindings and try to meet the standard Dominic demonstrated. For me, the attention to detail, orderly work habits and organization will be helpful in strengthening my work habits. Seeing the work of the other folks in the class will set a higher standard for innovative design work. The class was a delight.”

[What did you like most about the workshop?] “Working together learning all the intricate layers of what makes a designer binding. I love the passion of everyone there. Dominic teaches with superb skill, compassion, wit and patience.”

“Working with Dominic for a month has been one of the best decisions I have made with my time in years.”

“With Dominic’s guidance and assistance we made amazing books, and three boxes. We covered a huge amount of information and we almost finished all of the pieces. Making a design binding, with boxes, having the reception and seeing the finished work on display feels like an accomplishment.

This class was an amazing experience. To be able to focus on a complete project for an extended period of time.”